"...Who is the honest man? He that doth still and strongly good pursue, to God, his neighbor, and himself most true..." Constancy by George Herbert...

Monday, July 11, 2005

Moving Forward

It is with no little irony that on the day that marked the 472 anniversary of Pope Clement VII excommunicating Henry (VIII) Tudor, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to remove legal impediments against women being elected as Bishops. For a thorough look at the goings on see here.

It hasn't been that long since the Episcopal Church (USA) elected its first female to the episcopate either. It seems that the tempest is still brewing from that event. And I am sure that our sisters and brothers in the CofE will not escape this without the occasional brew-hah-hah.

Controversy is often the order of the day when people of faith are willing to allow the Holy Spirit loose in the affairs of the church. Jesus said as much in the Gospel of Matthew...I did not come to bring peace, but a sword...turning son against father, and daughter against mother...

These are hard words for us to swallow in an age that is chaotic enough on its own. We like our church to be neat and in order and our faith to be a comfort. But we are not always promised that. However, God does promise to never leave us or forsake us, even in the rough moments. Because it is in our trials that we are shaped and hewn into the beautiful creations God intended...

One of my favorite hymns says it best...

The peace of God, it is no peace,but strife closed in the sod.Yet let us pray for but one thingthe marvelous peace of God.